Domestic Violence

The Alaska Ski for Women is now taking names for this year's event, as registration opened Thursday for the 16th annual benefit slated to run Sunday. Organizers say the race, which donates its proceeds to organizations working toward ending the cycle of domestic violence in Alaska, is a fun way to fundraise. "Last year we received a grant of $7,000 (from the race)," said Solveig Pedersen with YWCA Alaska. Women of all ages, and skill levels are invited to participate.

by Jason Lamb Monday, June 28, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Anchorage Police Department responded to concerns that the city's crime numbers are reaching unacceptable levels at a town hall meeting held by local lawmakers Monday. State Rep. Pete Petersen, Sen. Bill Wielechowski and Anchorage Assembly members Mike Gutierrez and Paul Honeman put the event together to find answers to the crime problem in Anchorage. But APD says in some cases, crime rates aren't as bad as people might think.

Governor Sean Parnell just introduced a bill to increase a number of penalties for exploitation of children, domestic violence, stalking, and graphic text messaging when it distributes a sexually explicit image of a child under the age of 16.   “We are strengthening our laws by keeping them current with technology so we are able to fight crime and keep Alaskans safe,” the Governor said in a statement.   The bill would also expand the crime of stalking to include those acts of following or monitoring the victim with a global positioning device, and using or installing a device to record or photograph events in the victim's home, workplace, vehicle, or on the victim's telephone or computer.

A man was arrested Saturday in Manokotak for allegedly sexually assaulting a juvenile female. According to Alaska State Troopers, Wesley Aliralria, 19, had sex with a juvenile female who was at least four years younger than him. In early August, troopers suspect Aliralria had physically assaulted the female. On August 14, law enforcement alleged him of forcing the female to have sex with him. Troopers from Dillingham and the Village Public Safety Officer in Manokotak arrested Aliralria for first-degree sexual assault, 10 counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and fourth-degree domestic violence assault.

The Turnagain Community Council has passed a motion against a proposal that would turn a West Anchorage hotel into permanent housing for the mentally ill and victims of domestic violence. On Thursday night, more than double the average number of people came to the Turnagain Community Council meeting to learn more about the idea. Residents passed a motion 31-to-8 against the proposal to show State legislators how the community feels about it. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and its community partners are asking the State for $3.4 million to help purchase the Long House Alaskan Hotel, located on Wisconsin Street and 43 rd Avenue.

Alaska's Acting Attorney General is now one big step closer to being the state's official attorney general. On Wednesday, 59-year-old Mike Geraghty gave testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Juneau. Afterwards, the Chairman of the Committee -- Senator Hollis French (D) Anchorage -- said that though he didn't agree with everything that Geraghty said, he did feel the candidate was well-informed on a mind-boggling variety of Alaska legal issues. Being attorney general of this state seems to require an unusually wide variety of legal talents.

by Channel 2 News staff Sunday, January 24, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The annual Alaska Ski For Women  is just a few weeks away, but one team is getting a head start on the costumes. They have yet to pick a name, but the team has decided to go as bush pilots. Members started constructing the costumes Sunday, using bike boxes and other recycled materials. Alaska Ski For Women is the nation's largest women-only cross-country ski event, and it also raises money for local nonprofits fighting domestic violence.

Forget the football and beer, at least for the morning, Super Bowl Sunday means something a little different for women in Anchorage.  Today was the 16th annual Alaska Ski for Women at Kincaid Park.  Around 1500 women attended, and many dressed in some pretty outrageous costumes. "It's a little bit to top heavy so we're not going to do any fancy moves," Heather Wilson, who was dressed as a giraffe said. The event raises money for nonprofits that support ending the cycle of domestic violence in Alaska.

Many Anchorage residents say they don't think they're as safe as they once were, in the wake of the high-profile homicides of Senior Airman Clinton Reeves and barista Samantha Koenig. Despite the concerns, APD says violent crime is down in most categories, excluding domestic violence and sexual assault. Readers and viewers on Channel 2's Facebook page and KTUU.com have written that that they question the safety of Alaska's largest city after news coverage of the Reeves and Koenig cases.